Labor Day 2025 News Roundup - August 25, 2025

OPEIU Members Rally for Fair Contract at IRC Headquarters Washington, D.C. - Early this morning, members of the International Rescue Committee Workers Unite-OPEIU (IRCWU) gathered outside the IRC’s New York City headquarters at 122 E 42nd St to demand a “fair contract” after months of stalled negotiations. The Office and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO, hosted the 8 a.m. rally, where IRCWU members called for improved wages, stronger job protections, and expanded health benefits for 13 unionized locations nationwide.

Kate Spade Outlet Launches 70% Off Labor Day Sale New York, N.Y. - Just in time for the holiday weekend, the Kate Spade Outlet unveiled its Labor Day 2025 sale today, offering up to 70 percent off handbags, wallets, and accessories, with an additional 20 percent off clearance items. Cardholders start at $29 and crossbody bags at $45, marking the deepest discounts in months. Shoppers who subscribe to the outlet’s email list can also score an extra $20 off purchases of $125 or more.

Labor Day Countdown and Weekend Travel Trends As Labor Day approaches, AAA reports that domestic flights, hotels, and car rentals are running 3-11 percent cheaper than last year, with Orlando, New York, and Seattle topping the list of domestic destinations. International travel remains mixed: airfare is up 8 percent, while hotel rates have dipped 2 percent compared to Labor Day 2024. AAA attributes lower costs to steady crude oil prices and strong competition among travel providers.

City and School Closures for Labor Day Weekend

• Oyster River, New Hampshire: All district schools and administrative offices will be closed Friday, August 29 and Monday, September 1.
• Frisco, Texas: City Hall, library, and environmental services will close on September 1; weekly curbside recycling and trash collection will shift by one day.

Looking Ahead: Workers’ Labor Day Week of Action Throughout the nation, more than 600 demonstrations and solidarity events are planned between August 28 and September 6, coordinated by coalitions such as May Day Strong and the AFL-CIO. Major actions include rallies in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., with grassroots groups focusing on demands to “protect Social Security, defend Medicaid, and stop the billionaire takeover of American democracy.” Organizers aim to mobilize upward of five million participants this year.